Okay, so it's been a really long time since I last updated. I do apologize for that, especially being so close to the end of the story. The past months that have passed have been filled with many personal and professional changes. Some good and some bad. There was a major change at work, someone I was very close to passed away, I've been betrayed by a friend, I've been sick and so on. So suffice it to say this story had to take the back burner as I dealt with these many issues. But I never forgot it. This is the first full length story I have ever written and posted that was very well recieved. I am grateful to all of you who have read this and taken the time to leave a review. Anyway, since it's been awhile I decided to post part 1 of the next chapter. It turned out to be long so I decided to split it into two parts. I could have waited until it was completed but I didn't want to keep you waiting. But so you know I am almost done with the second part so it should be coming soon. So here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Also to see the groups prom attire check out my homepage on my profile. As you will see I had the attire picked out months ago.
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Haley sat with her mouth slightly open, unsure of what to say. "Nathan..."
"Look, we always said that if we were single, we'd go together. Well, we're both single so I don't see why we shouldn't."
"I don't know."
"Haley, I know that you might feel unsure about us and that you'll some time getting used to us again, but I want to take this first step. What better way to start then dressing up and hanging out with our friends at the last big dance of our high school career."
"It's not that. I'm not even sure I should go, Nathan. Look at me. I'm really hurt."
"Baby, by the time prom rolls around you'll be back to your old self. The timing is perfect. Come on, Hales. I'm trying here."
Haley sat contemplating Nathan's question. He looked at her with eager eyes hoping to get a positive answer.
"Okay. I'll be your date." Haley finally answered.
Nathan sat down next to her and gave her a small kiss on the forehead. "I'm so happy to hear you say that."
"Nathan, we still have a lot to talk about."
"I know."
"I just need to us to really get past this. A lot of the things you did and said really hurt me. Some were unforgivable. Such as accusing me of trying to pass off someone else's kid as yours. Hearing those words come out of your mouth just devastated me."
"And I'm so sorry about that. I know that you would never ever think of doing something that cruel. It's just I was angry and Rachel kept filling my head with doubts and next thing I knew the words just slipped out. But I need you to know that I never once actually believed that."
"Your actions spoke otherwise, Nathan. I mean despite everything that happened you stayed with her. You chose her over me. Why? Why was it so easy for you to just abandon me?"
"Haley..."
"It's like the moment she stepped into the picture you just stopped knowing me. We became strangers. Why was it so easy for you to do that?"
"I don't know. I can't even begin to explain. Rachel being a master manipulator aside, I guess I just liked the fact that I had met a girl who liked all the things I was into, she was straightforward, I had fun with her. She just seemed real to me. She didn't look like the kinds of girls that bullshitted to get my attention and I liked that. And a big attraction to me was that she was the exact opposite of Tiffany. I guess she just knew how to play me. You know it's funny. Everyone used to say I was this big player. Yet I'm the one that got played. Twice. Guess the jokes on me." Nathan chuckled bitterly.
"Nathan, I understand where you're coming from, but was it really worth losing me?"
"Of course not! Haley I never wanted to lose you. I just... I just thought that eventually the hostility between the two of you would die down and you'd learn to get along. I was being hopeful. I thought that if Rachel just got to know you and vice versa you two could eventually call a truce. I didn't want to accept that this was a one-or-the-other kind of situation. I thought that if I just gave you your space you'd calm down and we could try again. I never really believed I would lose you."
"So you risked our friendship?"
"I guess I did. I was stupid. I did the very things I promised I would never do. I let a girl come between us and I hurt you. I even put your life in danger." Nathan's eyes watered at the thought that he could have lost her for good.
"Oh, Nathan." Haley pulled Nathan closer to her. "Don't. Don't blame yourself for that. There was no way you could have known that she was capable of that."
"I brought her into our lives, Haley. More than she already was. If it wasn't for me we'd still have our baby."
At the mention of their lost child Haley began to sob. "Nathan, I need you to listen to me. It's not your fault. It's hers. You had no idea that she would have gone that far as to physically hurt me. She's the reason we lost our child. Not you."
"I promise I'm gonna make her pay for that. I let her know that she needed to watch her back."
"I have no doubt that she is going to pay. This is one thing I will not let her get away with."
"Haley, are you going to report her to the police?"
"I haven't really thought about it."
"Well, you should. What she did is a crime."
"I know, but I did some research and it seems that there really isn't a law in place on the killing of an unborn baby. There is a proposed bill, but it's under review. It's really complicated and I'm not sure I could go through that whole process."
"Well they could still charge her with assault."
"Who's to say she won't tell them that it was in self-defense. I did slap her first."
"Haley, there is a big difference between a slap and being pushed down a flight of stairs."
"It would just be her word against mine."
"She left you unconscious on the floor and didn't bother to call anyone. You ended up in the hospital in a coma and lost our baby. There has to be some consequence for that?"
"Nathan, I don't have the energy or strength to go through that whole process."
"Haley, we have to do something."
"And we will. Just without the cops being involved." They stared at each other for a moment.
"Hey, let's not talk about this anymore. You need to rest. We can finish this later."
"Okay. I'm kind of hungry."
"Okay, I'll tell Greta to make you something to eat."
"Macaroni and cheese?"
"Macaroni and cheese. It is your favorite." Nathan nodded smiling. "I'll be back in a bit."
Nathan stood up and started to walk out to find Greta.
"Nathan?"
He turned around hearing Haley.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For being here."
"There no other place I'd rather be."
Nathan then walked downstairs in search of Greta to request Haley's macaroni and cheese. In the living room he could hear voices. Hearing Mr. James and his father, he knew that the adults were in the living room. He was about to just walk past when he heard the unmistakable voice of Margaret Gatina.
"When we heard of your daughter's accident we were just horrified. I can't even begin to imagine how I would react if our precious Rachel suffered something like that."
Nathan just could not believe his ears. Reluctantly he walked into the living room. There he saw his parents and Haley's there along with The Gatinas. Seeing Rachel seated there his anger rose. Deb turned her head noticing her son and waved him over.
"Nathan, sweetie come here."
"Mom, I have to look for Greta. Haley's hungry and she really wants her mac and cheese." He said hoping they would just let him go.
"My little girl just loves her mac and cheese." Jimmy chuckled. "Greta!"
In a second the housekeeper entered the room.
"Greta, Haley's requesting her favorite meal."
"I will get on it right away, Mr. Scott." Greta left the living room to begin cooking Haley's meal.
"How is Haley, sweetie?" Deb asked.
"She's okay. Well, as okay as she could possibly get. I'm just finally getting her to open up to me. I should go back up and keep her company"
"I'm sure Haley won't mind you being away for a few minutes. Rachel and her family come to check on Haley." Lydia spoke.
"Isn't that nice of your girlfriend?"
"Unbelievable. You didn't even tell them did you?" Nathan eyed Rachel who sat quietly in between her mother and father.
"What's going on, Nathan?" Dan asked his son.
"I broke up with Rachel the day Haley woke up."
"What?" Deb said shocked. "Honey, why didn't you tell us?"
"I wanted to keep my focus on Haley. She was my priority."
"That's such a shame. I thought the two of you made a lovely couple." Mrs. Gatina said.
"I can't believe you had the nerve to show your face here." Nathan spoke directly to Rachel.
"Nathan, that is unnecessary." Deb scolded.
"I should go. I'll be in the car." Rachel got up to walk out.
"What's wrong? Getting scared?"
"Nathan, you will stop with the rudeness this instant."
"I can't believe that you had the gall to step into this house after what happened. How dare you."
"Nathan, explain yourself right now." Dan demanded.
"Why don't you tell them, Rachel."
"Nathan, stop it. I didn't want to come."
"One of you better tell me what's going on." Jimmy spoke.
"You don't want to talk, then I will."
"Nathan, don't." Rachel begged.
"Wanna know how Haley's accident happened? I'll tell you. My ex-girlfriend came over here and began an argument with Haley. Telling her she needed to stay away from me and making up all sorts of lies about me. She even had the audacity to bring up painful memories of Kyle. When Haley had enough she slapped her. And what did Rachel do? She pushed her down the stairs."
The parents all gasped. Rachel stood frightened as all eyes landed on her..
"Rachel, is this true?" Mr. Gatina asked his daughter.
"Dad, mom."
"You better speak now young lady." Jimmy stood up facing Rachel.
"I didn't mean for that to happen."
"How could you do such a thing?" A very emotional Lydia spoke. "You just left my daughter lying there for god knows how long. How could you?"
"Did you even attempt to call for help?" Dan asked.
"No." Rachel responded barely above a whisper.
"So you were just going to leave her there and go home as if nothing was wrong." Jimmy spoke accusingly. "While we were in the hospital agonizing over Haley's health and if she was ever going to wake up and how this could have happened, you were home acting as if it was any other day. I want you out of my house. You stay away from my family. Most especially Haley."
With tears falling from her eyes Rachel walked out. Mrs. Gatina apologized and walked out after her daughter. Mr. Gatina stood up incomplete shock.
"Jimmy, Lydia I am just as shocked and appalled as you are. You have no idea how ashamed I am. If I had known. Listen I will pay all of Haley's hospital expenses. And I will support you with however you decide to handle this. I don't condone what Rachel did. I am so sorry."
"Richard, I appreciate your offer. Right now we're not sure how we are going to handle this, but when we do we will let you know." Richard Gatina shook Jimmy's hand then left the premises. Jimmy wrapped an arm around his wife who was sobbing.
"I can't believe that she did this. And then to just leave Haley and not even call for help." Lydia cried. " I could have lost my daughter and it would have been all her fault."
"Jimmy, you do plan on reporting her right? You just can't let this go." Dan asked his friend.
"Of course I'm not going to just let this go. There is going to be some sort of justice."
"I just can't believe that she just left her there." An emotional Lydia spoke. Deb pulled her friend into a hug.
"Don't worry about that. All that matters right now is that Haley is okay and Rachel will be reported."
"Haley doesn't want that." Nathan spoke up.
"What?"
"She doesn't want to report Rachel. She did some research on the law and she became discouraged over any proper justice coming out of this. She says she doesn't have the strength to go through the hassle."
"Haley's not thinking clearly. That girl needs to pay for what she did." Dan exclaimed.
"Dad, she doesn't want to and I think we should respect her decision. She's been through enough. Let's not make it any harder for her."
"I won't insist right now, but something will be done." Jimmy stated adamantly.
"I'm going back up to Haley." Nathan said.
Nathan left the room and left the parents to soak in the new facts surrounding Haley's accident.
It was now one week until prom. It was definitely chaos in the James household. Brooke was going crazy over every last detail for prom night and she was making everyone crazy right along with her.
"Okay, so we should be dressed and ready for pictures here at 7:15. The limo will pick us up at 7:45 and take us to Giovanni's just in time for our 8:15 reservations. Then promptly at 9:45 we will head to Prom for one of the best nights ever." Brooke said excitedly to Peyton and Haley as they lounged around in Haley's room.
"I find it amazing that this is the last Prom Haley and I will be attending but you are more excited about it than we are."
"That's because you're Peyton and you hardly ever get excited about things like this. And Haley is excited about it. Right, Haley?" Brooke asked Haley who was currently looking a little zoned out. "Haley?"
"Huh?"
"I said that you're excited about Prom, right?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Well, that sounded convincing. Honey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I guess I'm just not confident about how I'm gonna look."
"You're kidding, right? You're going to look hot. Especially in the dress I got you."
"Yeah and aren't you getting your cast off on Wednesday?" Peyton asked.
"Yeah. I just can't help but feel insecure. Especially with the way people have been looking at me lately."
"Aww, sweetie don't pay attention to them."
"I'm the girl everyone feels sorry for."
"No one feels sorry for you in the way you think. They just probably want to see how you're coping. I mean, you did suffer a terrible accident." Brooke said.
"It's just hard, Brooke. Everyday I look at myself in the mirror and I can't help but be reminded that I used to have a child growing within me and now I don't. Then I see everyone looking at me and it just reminds me even more."
"Sweetie, it's going to be okay. You've got us and more importantly, you've got Nathan." Peyton said as she pulled Haley into a side hug.
"Anyway, how are things with you and Nathan? I've noticed the past few weeks that the two of you have been attached at the hip."
"We're good. We've been talking a lot. Re-discovering that bond again. We're getting back on track."
"On track to friendship or to romance?"
"Brooke." Haley warned.
"What? It's a legit question. The way the two of you look at each other, there is no denying there are sparks. Besides, you didn't see the way Nathan was while you were in a coma. He is totally ass-backwards in love with you. Whether he admits it or not. You need to admit it too."
Haley stared intently at the magazine in her hands.
"So what if I am." Haley said mumbling.
"What was that?" Brooke asked excitedly. "Are you admitting what I think you're admitting?"
"Yes. Fine! I am in love with Nathan Scott. Happy?"
"You have no idea. I think I'm gonna cry." An emotional Brooke said fanning away invisible tears.
" A little overdramatic, don't ya think?" Peyton laughed at her friend.
"Shut up! I'm happy. My sister is in love."
"Oh my god, I knew it would be a mistake to tell you."
"Hales, are you completely sure?" Peyton asked.
"Yeah, I am. I don't know when it happened, but I am."
"So, what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing, Peyton. Nathan and I have just gotten back to being friends. I'm not going to risk that."
"So, you're going to just bury what you feel?"
"I can't be sure that he feels the same."
"He does!"
"Brooke, you can't be sure of that."
"I am sure. Haley we all see it."
"Look, I don't want to talk about this any more."
Meanwhile Nathan and the other guys were at the Rivercourt shooting hoops. After a tough game the guys took a seat on the bleachers for a little break.
"You know you only won because I let you make that shot." Tim said to Nathan as he took a drink from his water bottle.
"Please, Tim he could beat you with a hand tied to his leg. You suck, dawg. How are you on the basketball team, again?" Skills laughed.
"Hey, this rash on an my ass has been really bothering me..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa that is way too much info. Keep that to yourself or you can't play with us anymore." Nathan told his friend.
"So, Nate I'm surprised Haley let you out of her sight." Jake said.
"Dude, it's not like that. We're just trying to gain back what we lost. Hanging out with her the past few weeks has really let us get back to how we used to be."
"Well, we're happy for you man." Lucas patted his brother on the back.
"Yeah, it's great that you're friends again. And now you're going to the prom together like you planned."
"Yeah, and I have decided that prom will be the night I tell Haley how I feel about her."
Lucas spit out his water in surprise. "What?"
"I'm in love with Haley and I'm gonna tell her."
"Wow." Jake said as the other guys looked shocked.
"Are you sure man?" Lucas asked his brother.
"Yeah. I don't want to waste any time. I made a vow to myself that I will always be completely honest with her and that includes telling her how I really feel."
"That's great." Jake said.
"Okay enough of this emotional crap. Let's get back to playing some ball." Tim said bouncing the basketball and walking onto the court.
Prom night had finally come. The girls were currently finishing up the last touches to their make-up and hair in Haley's room. Downstairs, the boys sat in the living room waiting for them to come down. All of their respective parents waited with them ready to take pictures of the teens in their prom attire.
"Okay girls, final mirror check." Brooke said to the other two. All three took turns in front of Haley's full length mirror. Haley took a look at herself and got a slight frown. Peyton noticed and put an arm around her friend.
"What's wrong, buddy?"
"I don't like how I look." Haley answered.
"Are you freaking kidding me? You look smoking hot!" Brooke exclaimed.
"I used to have an excuse for why I was looking a bit more chubby in the middle."
"Okay, Haley you need to stop. You look fantastic. You just watch, everyone's going to be jealous of how good you look. I bet Nathan will think you look hot."
Meanwhile the boys waited impatiently.
"Do they plan on being ready soon? If we don't hurry up we're going to miss our reservations." Lucas said exasperated.
"Lucas, sweetie calm down. It's a big night for the girls. They want to make sure they look their absolute best."
"Like we didn't? It's a big night for us too." Lucas complained.
"Chill out, bro. What are you so anxious about? You act as if you haven't seen Brooke in days." Nathan laughed.
"Shut up!"
"Okay, you two, quit it." Dan warned his boys.
"We're coming down now! So, I hope you are waiting at the bottom of the stairs like the perfect gentleman you all are!" Brooke yelled
The boys got up and lined up by the stairs. Peyton was the first to come down the stairs. Her hair was pulled up in a curly up do with soft tendrils framing her face. Jake graciously took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Next was Brooke, who very sensually made her way down the stairs licking her red lips and winking at Lucas. Lucas grabbed her hand and did as Jake did.
"Now, Haley has been feeling a little self conscious. So, careful what you say." Brooke quietly told everyone.
Haley slowly walked down the stairs. Nathan saw her and instantly his eyes lit up at the sight before him. Her dress hugged her in all the right spots, her hair pinned up on one side in soft waves and her makeup soft and natural. She was definitely a sight to be seen. As she reached the bottom stairs Haley stood nervously in front of Nathan.
"You look... amazing." Nathan said as he kissed her cheek.
"Oh honey, you are breathtaking." Lydia said to her daughter.
"Hey! What about me?" Brooke complained. "You can't just compliment one daughter and not the other."
"Oh Brooke, you know you always look fabulous." Lydia said to her youngest.
"I still like to hear it. But anyways, Haley does look amazing, doesn't she?"
"She definitely does." Jimmy agreed.
"Stop it. You're making me blush." Haley complained, her cheeks flushed pink.
"We love to make you blush." Dan said.
"Okay, everyone in front of the staircase. We'll take the group picture first, then couples, then individuals, then girls, then boys." Deb told the group as she prepared her camera.
"Mom, do we really need to do all that?" Lucas whined.
"This is your last prom! Of course we have to do this. Now get together."
The friends all stood together for the picture. Deb took as many shots she possibly could as the other parents stood by watching proudly.